Alanya in Turkey is one vacation spot, offering a beach, restaurants, a segregated spa, and an open-air pool exclusively for women.

Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia have explored “halal tourism,” but it’s fairly new to the Middle East.

Not everyone is welcoming “halal tourism.” Muslim writer and columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown calls it “cultural racism or religious racism,” and compares it to creating a “Christian-white only holiday.”

“You can’t have double standards,” she said, stating separating Muslim families is like “saying there is no common humanity.”

Those who have embraced Sharia-compliant holidays do so in part because they “bring people together.”

Muslim families from around the world vacation in areas like Alanya where women can swim freely in a modest swimsuit — what some call burkinis, and feel comfortable.

“Everyone I’ve seen has been wearing burkinis, so I don’t feel like the odd one out. It’s been a really good experience and something that we want to come back and enjoy next year,” said vacationer and mother of four Nazma Begum.

Liz Leslie is a journalist based in Bloomington, Indiana. As an associate Web producer for WFIU, Liz maintains the Muslim Voices Twitter and Facebook as well as writes for the blog. She also contributes to Earth Eats.More posts by this author »

There is even one halal hotel like this in Gumbet Bodrum Turkey. You can meet all your requirements as a muslim traveller. Qiblah sign, Koran, prayer mats in rooms; ladies only secluded pool, no alcohol...

But i want to know that is these holidays are just suitable for the Muslim families not for the other religion. I think tourist from all religion should allowed to come here to enjoy this place. I think it would also good..

Hello..I was not aware of the place and have gathered a huge knowledge being here.. I am glad I visited here and come to know about it.. I will look forward to the place in future..

Keithand

This is really good share...!!!!!The service provide by Halal holidays sound good and effective. These services helps Muslim families to enjoy vacations and holidays with full joy and leisure. I look forward to this information and suggest to my other friends who are Muslims by orientation.cheap flights

annielawrence

Halal is a new product in the tourism industry which provides holiday destinations for Muslims families.The Halal resorts do not serve alcohol and have separate swimming pools and spa facilities for men and women. This is the really good concept for the Muslim families who want to spend their vacations and want to feel relax and comfortable. So take your family to Halal resorts and have fun.